Ni Kun

We’ve done quite a bit of work to it so far, but it still needs a lot, lol. Feel free to read all we’ve written, but keep in mind some things will change a bit, some will change a lot, and some things will be taken out completely. Thanks for reading! 

Surrounded by Dragonflies that shimmer like diamonds in the sun, seven Ancient men stand as immovable as stone. A tense and hostile silence permeates the air, even as the Koi fish undulate their Yin and Yang patterns in the crystalline waters below each Ancient’s pedestal. A cloud crosses before the sun, coating the pristine valley in shadow. Minutes pass in uncomfortable silence, and as the cloud eases its way forward and that shining star once again lights the valley, the eldest Ancient kneels on his pedestal. He brushes the runes carved into the stone with his fingertips. As the markings, symbols to signify his stature and the oath he took when he became an Ancient, glow, he gains strength and clarity. He knows what must be done. Tears begin to well, and as he stands, using his gnarled and pitted staff for support, he begins to speak.

“The time has come,” He says softly.  “Our enemies have brought forth much pain and suffering on our lands, destroying our people and creating chaos and mistrust amongst us.  This is not something to be taken lightly,” he pauses, closes his eyes and sighs greatly, “Because of these events, we must consider calling upon the Ni-Kun.” Several mumbles are heard from the other men.  One takes his staff and points it at the ancient.

“You are wrong, Kashikoi!” Futeki, the second youngest Ancient, argues. ”The Ni-Kun destroyed us the last time we called upon them for help!”.  “The power consumed them and they destroyed our people and our lands, taking us centuries to rebuild—“

“Do not lecture me on our history, Futeki! Do you not recall that it was I who suggested we call on the Two Masters for assistance? Do you not recall that it was I who gathered our energies together to destroy the Ni-Kun? DO YOU NOT RECALL?!  We all made that fatal mistake, calling upon the Ni-Kun. But something must be done. We cannot sit idly by as people are destroyed, or worse.

“But, Kashikoi!”  Kyousou, the smallest and youngest of all the wise ancients interjects, “despite what happened, was it not you that said the Ni-Kun would never be called upon again?  Was it not you that delegated the act of sealing away their spirits into the Great Divide?”  He mumbles the last, staring at his feet with his arms tucked tightly behind him.  Kashikoi stares intently at Kyousou for a very long time.  The wind whipping gently at their tunics and long beards, Kashikoi reaches his hand out to the center of the circle formation, pointing directly at Hayai.

“Hayai.” He spoke softly, as if whispering only to him.  “You are the only one of us that has no regrets for calling upon the Ni-Kun before.  What do you presume we do?”  He looked intently at Hayai, trying to penetrate his mind with his own, only to find out that Hayai was, like most times, one step ahead of him with all entrances to his mind protected.

“Is it necessary to ask me, Kashikoi?” he said. “Have we not spoken of this before, oh wise leader?” He stood, waiting patiently for an answer, his raised eyebrow the only indication that his compliment had been sarcasm.

“I want to be sure–“

“Do not play at ignorance. You know my feelings on the matter, so why waste our time?  I stand firm behind the Ni-Kun, as we are all taught to when becoming an ancient, and I tire of being a pawn in your petty games! ” He touches his fingertips to his forehead, creating an orb of energy.  Kashikoi smirks at Hayai, nodding to him.

“You continue to resort to violence, Hayai.  Such a temper you have! It is a wonder that you became an ancient in the first place.  Or perhaps the Ni-Kun chose you as an Ancient because of your violent past?”  Kashikoi stares greedily at Hayai, waiting for him to launch his attack.

“Stop this!  Stop this at once!” Proclaims Furi as he waves his hands.  “We need not fight amongst ourselves!”

“I was not fighting with him,” Hayai says calmly. “I was simply giving him what he asked for,” he pauses, then launches the orb at Kashikoi at lightning speed, however, Kashikoi is prepared. With his aura surrounding him, the orb smacks into it and dissipates. Kashikoi looks at Hayai with mocking eyes. 

“You are a fool to attack me, Hayai.  Your temper causes you nothing but problems, as it has always done.  Be gone now,” he waves his hands “return when your anger has chilled, and your spirit is positive once again!” Hayai vanishes in a cloud of dust.

“Now.”  Kashikoi states firmly, looking around at the five remaining ancients.  “Are their any objections to awakening the Ni-Kun? Does anyone wish to defy me?!” His voice growing angry at the last. He waited several moments before speaking again, using the seconds to calm himself “We must save our people. If sacrificing few means saving many, then cleanse the crosses and ready the mourners, for I will not stand by and let everyone be killed to save our consciences.

“Perhaps,” Shoukai begins, and as all the ancients turn to stare intently at him he pauses. Never speaking unless it was absolutely necessary, his vocalization marks these circumstances with an air of desperation.  “Perhaps it would be wise to wait until we have all come to terms with what must be done. It will cost us a great deal of energy to awaken the Ni-Kun. If we are all in positive aura, then the energy consumed will be much less and will make teaching the Masters easier on us all.”

The Ancients look at each other, then to Kashikoi, none daring to be the first to speak.  “We should allow ourselves to work through this information.” Kashikoi agrees. “We shall meet here in one days time to bring the Ni Kun from the Great Divide, and begin the salvation of our world.” At the last of his words, the other Ancients draw a symbol in the air with their index finger, and vanish.

Kashikoi, the last Ancient remaining on his pedestal, casts his eyes skyward, studying a new cloud draping shadows over the valley like a cloak.

“There is no other way.” Kashikoi mumbles to himself as he writes the rune in the air.

One year later, the Two Masters are born. Though these babes do not know their destiny, the souls of the Ni Kun have been gifted to them by the Ancients, and nothing can stand in the way of their fate.